Sometimes a
miracle is just what a guy needs before he can stop feeling sorry for
himself, according to Portnoy's heartfelt tale. Heading for a ball game to
cheer on his beloved Baltimore Orioles, Aaron is dreading junk
food-withdrawal: it's Passover, and he can't chow down on the requisite
hotdogs and popcorn. But the grass is greener in the other yard, it seems (or
in the other ballpark), as Aaron's friends decide they prefer the
kosher-for-Passover lunch fare packed by his mother; soon the boy has no food
left. A stranger provides a bit of nourishment, however, along with a
surprise ending that puts a literal spin on this book's title. With most of
these action-packed spreads set in or around Camden Yards (with an unexpected
detour to Ebbets Field), Kahn's soft-focus, warmly colored illustrations will
gladden young baseball enthusiasts. But though her scenic renderings pack a
punch, facial features are unevenly captured. Still, enhanced by suitably
forthright writing and a credible narrative voice, this distinctive effort
scores at least a triple. Ages 5-9. Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information,
Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this
title. |